Arrow Video, out October 23

Three of the late horror master’s early works get a Blu-ray release in this boxset that will be welcomely-received by the completists, though casual collectors are unlikely to shell out just under £60 for a trilogy of minor works.

I always tip my hat to a label that not only releases minority-interest movies as high-definition releases, but also packaged up with special features and new writing. Romero himself isn’t minority-interest, but only one of these movies can really be considered genre, and fans of his zombie movies will find little to tuck into.

Of the three, The Crazies deserves most attention, Romero’s 1973 tale of a town under lockdown following the outbreak of some chemicals. A cult favourite, it was remade in 2010 and benefits from a new 4K transfer from the original negative, an audio commentary by star Travis Crawford, and a tour round the movie’s locations. There’s other TV spots and behind-the-scenes content which would give this disc a solid 8/10 (there’s also a DVD disc too).

There’s Always Vanilla is a 1971 family drama that just isn’t remarkable in any significant way. It doesn’t feel like Romero and its low budget is very apparent in what’s clearly a fast shoot. The ‘making of’ documentary is far more engaging, catching up with the cast today, but it’s definitely just for the completists.

Finally, Season of the Witch, released in 1973, which benefits from its more honest alternate title of Hungry Wives or Jack’s Wife. It might feature the characters indulging in witchcraft, but it’s not a horror or occult film, as this disappointed teen found out when renting this back in the 1980s! Some bored housewives cast a spell on a local lothario, there’s a killing and some camp coven nonsense, but again nothing to suggest that this was directed by  the man who brought us Night of the Living Dead. The lengthy interview between the director and Guillermo del Toro is fascinating, and you get to see the alternate extended edition (14 minutes longer), but even a new 4k restoration of the theatrical version can’t save this lesser movie.

Verdict: Romero aficionados will appreciate this lovingly put together boxset while the rest of us will wonder what the fuss is all about. 6/10

Nick Joy